On this page
- Departments (1)
-
Text (1)
-
Progress of British Freedom. 667
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
common and statute—law , became triumphant over the civil and the canon law , of which the Churchmen were so enamoured ; and this was really the triumph of Freedom * political , civil , and religious *
Under Edward L , called the English Justinian , * the administration of justice gained considerable improvement * At the same time , that administration was conducted by tneans of laws auspicious , for the most part , to liberty and order . In this period , according to the opinion of no incapable judge , *}* our freedom began again to rear its head .
Years of civil war ensued for a long term subsequent to this : nor could Law and Constitutional Freedom obtain a due regard through the contest between the rival houses of York and Lancaster . Homage was paid , nevertheless , by both the aspirant parties , to the principles on which our government is founded : and when , in process of time , the family of TudoT was seated on the throne , the grand interests of the nation were far from being overlooked ; notwithstanding the avaricious and tyrannical disposition of Henry VII ., the capricious and extravagant cruelty of bis successor , and the haughty and intriguing spirit of Elizabeth .
Of the motives which incited the chief actors in the Reformation of Religion I say nothing : the event itself , in its nature , tendencies , and effects , was friendly , in an eminent degree , to general freedom . In the reigns under which passive subjection was most loudly talked of and demanded , it was not , however , acknowledged as matter of right , as prescribed by law . j : Indeed , the strenuous and persevering hostilities carried on soon afterwards between the Parliament and the Throne , fully shewed what sense the people entertained of their constitutional privileges and freedom .
Those hostilities , together with some agitating events during the successive reigns of the two sons of Charles I ., issued in the memorable era sty fed the revolution . Much was then done for asserting , restoring , and exemplifying the freedom of the British Constitution : but much also remained to be done ; and from that season , assuredly , though the picture may have defects , and a few dark spots , our civil liberties have been widely extended , more vigilantly contemplated , and more securely fortified . The
intermediate space of time , down to the present day , is exactly the term which an enlightened and cordial lover of his country will take delight in surveying ; since the view , even if it be not quite cloudless , and pure sunshine , which is more than can be permitted to mortals , still exhibits a portion of practical freedom , of wise and useful order , and of general felicity and improvement , which , I deliberately and conscientiously think , have no parallel in the history of the world . §
JSo much of this improvement has taken place , in various measures , and at different intervals , since the accession of princes of the Brunswick line , nor least during the reign of the recently-deceased sovereign , that I may be permitted to dwell on a theme so gratifying and attractive . Careful obseryers had foreboded the return of days of darkness , towards the conclusion of the life of the Princess , to whom the family now placed upon the throne succeeded . Her sun declined and went down in clouds .
* By Hume , &c . t Biacksftone . + It was the doctrine chiefly of ecclesiastical sycophants . A very amusing and well-known anecdote of a conversation of James 1 . with the Bishops Ncile and Audrew . s , illustrates the fact . § < s nuixjuani Libeitas t ^ riitior extat . "—Claudian .
Progress Of British Freedom. 667
Progress of British Freedom . 667
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1830, page 667, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2589/page/11/
-